Charlie had declared that he would do almost anything
to get five hundred dollars.
CHAPTER XVII
The next morning found Jed heavy-eyed and without appetite, going
through the form of preparing breakfast. All night, with the
exception of an hour or two, he had tossed on his bed alternately
fearing the worst and telling himself that his fears were
groundless. Of course Charlie Phillips had not stolen the four
hundred dollars. Had not he, Jed Winslow, loudly proclaimed to
Ruth Armstrong that he knew her brother to be a fine young man, one
who had been imprudent, it is true, but much more sinned against
than sinning and who would henceforth, so he was willing to swear,
be absolutely upright and honest? Of course the fact that a sum of
money was missing from the Orham National Bank, where Phillips was
employed, did not necessarily imply that the latter had taken it.
Not necessarily, that was true; but Charlie had, in Jed's presence,
expressed himself as needing money, a sum approximately that which
was missing; and he had added that he would do almost anything to
get it. And--there was no use telling oneself that the fact had no
bearing on the case, because it would bear heavily with any
unprejudiced person--Charlie's record was against him. Jed loyally
told himself over and over again that the boy was innocent, he KNEW
he was innocent.
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